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lawyer collection letter

Date: Sat, 02/12/2011 - 19:22
Submitted by carrlle on Sat, 02/12/2011 - 19:22
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i have questions please. i received what is a second lawyer collection letter. i dont remember the first. Attempt to collect a debt..... i have no idea what this medical bill is, how do i go about validation and what would lawyer response possibly be? All it says is creditor name and amount owed. how do i know this is for me, and where do they get amount from? thanks carlle


Send them a debt validation letter, you are entitled to under the FDCPA. Make sure you send this letter within 30 days of receipt, and send it certified so you will have proof they received it. In your letter request the following:
-Explain the nature of the alleged debt - that is, what the money I allegedly owe is for;
-Please provide an explanation of how you calculated what you allege that I owe;
-Please provide me with copies of any contracts or documents which form a basis for the alleged debt; and
-Please provide me with the name and address of the original creditor

You can find sample letters in the DIY section of this forum at the link below:
http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/letters/

If you do not reply and dispute this debt within the 30 day period it is assumed by the debt collector you owe it and they can proceed in suing you.


Submitted by Shazzers on Sun, 02/13/2011 - 07:36

Shazzers

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When i receive back (if i do) my letter of validation, then what is next? do i try and settle for less owed if my debt? How do I do that? also, i am unemployed & have no way to pay the bill anyway, how do i put that in letter to them? what is difference in debt validation & debt verification?


Submitted by carrlle on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 14:03

carrlle

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Is this medical debt yours? I would think that validation in this case includes them sending you copies of the patient consent form with your signature on it. Plus, the debt collector/lawyer would have to show proof that they represent the client, or show proof of assignment, etc. But if it's just a computer printout (for example) they have, that's not validation. Why would you settle if they can't validate the debt?

Telling them you are unemployed does not change the status of a debt. I don't think it's worth bringing up -- more important is not to admit to the debt, and have them prove everything.

What you want is debt validation -- they have to prove that the debt is "valid". Not debt "verification" -- which is just verifying, or checking to see that the dollar amounts, name and address match up with what a creditor is claiming.


Submitted by sued-in-GA on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 04:53

sued-in-GA

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